Gilded Age Etiquette for Garden Parties

Garden Parties were popular entertainments in the Gilded Age. This photo above is proof that they remained popular well into the 1920’s … 

Above -‘Garden Party’ Photographed by Edward Steichen, 1927 (photo source, Twitter) — As the weather is by no means always to be counted upon to remain fine, it is seldom considered advisable to have the whole of the refreshment tables out of doors, and thus only ices, berries and cream and ice cups are served out of doors. Tea, coffee and the rest, with iceland berries and cream over again, are invariably served within doors. But refreshment tables out of doors considerably take off the strain from the tables in the tearoom, especially during the first half hour, when the great rush is made in this direction.

Manners and Customs Practiced Polite Society:

Garden Parties… The Advantages and Pleasures of These Out of Door Summer Receptions

Town garden parties resolve themselves into large receptions given out of doors, and those who know what crowded drawing rooms imply in the sultry summer days are particularly glad of this change of place. They will willingly spend an hour or more at one of these out of door reunions instead of thinking a quarter of an hour's stay all too long indoors, where it is a case of heat versus draft, and difficult to determine which is the most objectionable experienced in drawing room, bed-room or even on a staircase. Although these functions are designated garden parties, yet the real style and title are ‘at-homes’, the address being sufficient indi- cation to the invited guests as to the description of entertainment to be given.

A band playing in the grounds where the garden party is given would appear to be a sine qua non, but the excellence of the same is merely a question of expense.

As the weather is by no means always to be counted upon to remain fine, it is seldom considered advisable to have the whole of the refreshment tables out of doors, and thus only ices, berries and cream and ice cups are served out of doors. Tea, coffee and the rest, with iceland berries and cream over again, are invariably served within doors. But refreshment tables out of doors considerably take off the strain from the tables in the tearoom, especially during the first half hour, when the great rush is made in this direction.

Even a large tent or marquee is not considered altogether desirable for refreshments, as under a burning sun the air within becomes overheated and oppressive, while in the case of a downpour the results are always disastrous. The popularity of garden parties is incontestable in propitious weather.

Arrivals at a garden party are made al- most simultaneously, or follow in rapid succession, so that host-and hostess have between arrivals and departures an opportunity for a little friendly conversation with many of the guests, while at an ‘at home’ the hostess has to be at her post from 4:30 to 7, as guests arrive continuously even close up to the hour named for departure. The host is usually present at a garden party.

A man in the open air is at his best, and therefore a garden party appeals to a host almost as much as it does to a guest.— San Diego Union and Bee, 1895

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Gilded Age Garden Party Etiquette

Lawn tennis, croquet, archery and, for those disinclined to active exertion, card tables, furnish sources of amusement at these picturesque assemblies. Sometimes a platform for dancing is provided, and a band of music is another pleasant feature of entertainment.

SOCIAL ETIQUETTE

Manners and Customs Practiced in Pollte Society

People in pretty country or suburban places can hardly devise a happier form of entertaining than the garden party. There may be a little awkwardness at first where people are unused to these parties. Without the accustomed shelter of a house, guests may feel a little forlorn and wander dismally about for a time, but a hostess of tact soon suggests forming parties for whatever sports or games are provided, and after the first stiffness is over any one can find congenial entertainment of some sort.

The garden party proper is held entirely in the open air. The hostess receives upon the lawn, wearing her hat or bonnet, and lady guests always wear bonnets. Upon arriving at the house guests are shown upstairs to lay aside wraps and brush off dust, if they wish to, and are then shown to where the hostess is receiving. It is proper for a lady to ask for an invitation for a friend to a party that is to be entirely out of doors, as there will always be plenty of room. 

Still no lady should take offense if such a request is not granted, as a hostess may have excellent reasons for refusing. Lawn tennis, croquet, archery and, for those disinclined to active exertion, card tables, furnish sources of amusement at these picturesque assemblies. Sometimes a platform for dancing is provided, and a band of music is another pleasant feature of entertainment.

These parties are sometimes conducted on the principle of an afternoon tea. The hostess receives in the house, the guests then wander through the grounds and return to the house for refreshments when fatigued. This is a modification of the garden party which meets with approbation from the timid, the elderly and the rheumatic, and is less troublesome to the entertainer than serving refreshments on the lawn. Where grounds are ample and handsome, the garden party proper, however, is a beautiful and enjoyable affair. – The Humboldt Times, 1887

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia